Surname Josten - Meaning and Origin
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Josten: What does the surname Josten mean?
The last name Josten is a patronymic surname derived from the popular Dutch and German names Jost or Joost. In patronymic surnames, the last name typically consists of the first name of the father combined with a suffix such as -sen, -son, or -zen. Therefore, Josten literally means "son of Jost."
The Josten surname can be found throughout Western Europe as well as in the United States. In some cases, it has been Americanized to Justen or Juston. In Germany, the Josten surname is especially prevalent in the Rhineland-Palatinate state.
The literal meaning of the Josten surname has been connected to the common Christian name Jost, which translates to “he who uplifts.” Beyond being a common name throughout history, it is believed to have been derived from the Latin word sublegare, which means “to bind something up.”
Given the meaning of the surname, one can assume that those with the Josten surname could have been laborers and craftsmen such as masons, stonecutters, and rope makers. It is also possible that the surname is derived from the Old German personal name Joscelin, meaning “he who supplicates” or “he who serves.”
No matter the origin or meaning of the name, the Josten surname has been present throughout centuries and continues to be a prominent part of Western European societies.
Order DNA origin analysisJosten: Where does the name Josten come from?
The last name Josten is most commonly found today in Denmark, Sweden, and Germany. This is likely due to the fact that the name is of Low German origin, and was likely present in northern Europe before the colonial era.
Denmark was the first of these countries to adopt the surname, likely during the 13th century when Denmark began a period of extensive expansion. During this time, many new settlers came to the country and brought their last names, including Josten. The surname continued to remain popular in the area and as a result is still quite common in Denmark today.
In Germany, many people bearing the name Josten likely emigrated from Denmark during the Protestant Reformation. As many people moved during this period, the surname was likely introduced to many regions of Germany as well. These days, the name is most commonly seen in northern Germany near the Netherlands, and is considered to be quite common in the area.
In Sweden, many people with the surname Josten are likely descendants of immigrants who emigrated from Germany in the late 1700s. This period saw a large influx of new immigrants to Sweden, and the surname was likely introduced to the area at this time. The name is not as common as in Denmark and Germany, but is still relatively well represented among the population.
Variations of the surname Josten
The surname Josten has several spelling variants and related surnames. The spelling of the surname can vary between Josten, Joesten, Jossten, or Joosten. Variations of the spelling can also inlcude Justen, Jostin, Joestin, Josstin, Joostin, Justin, Joestin, Josstin, Joostin, and Joestin. Additionally, related surnames for the name Josten are Joos, Jost, Jonson, Jansen, and Janssen.
The origins of the surname Josten are believed to be a shortened version of the German names Johannsen or Janssen. The root of the name is ‘Johann’, which is the German form of John. This was especially popular during medieval times for first names, for example ‘Johannes’. The name also indicates a patronymic, meaning a name derived from a father’s given name, ‘{"son of John”.
The names Joos, Jost, Jonson, Jansen, and Janssen also derive from Johannsen. Joos is a unique German- Dutch variation, coming from a Netherlands dialect word for ‘Johannes’. Jost, Jonson, Jansen, and Janssen can all be seen as derivatives of Johannsen, meaning they all passed through various dialects and spellings over time.
The surname Josten is prominent all across Europe. It is popular in German speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also popular in Scandinavian countries, such as Norway and Sweden. In the United States, the surname is common on the East Coast, especially in Pennsylvania, New York, and Washington DC.
The origins of the surname Josten can be traced back to the original form of ‘Johannes’, and the many derivatives provide a window in time for Europe’s linguistic and cultural evolution.
Famous people with the name Josten
- Jim Josten: a retired professional baseball player
- Asa Josten: an AI Scientist
- Oliver Josten: an American professional soccer player
- Portia Josten: an American architect
- Mervin Josten: an American record-breaking swimmer
- John Josten: an American fashion and costume designer
- Cecil Josten: an American cinematographer
- Daniel Josten: an author and political thinker
- Rudolf Josten: a German-born British businessman
- Brett Josten: a former Austrian-born American left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball